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PERTUSSIS

(Whooping Cough)

What is pertussis?Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a contagious disease involving the lungs and airways. It

is caused by a bacterium,Bordetella pertussis, that is found in the nose, mouth, andthroat of an infected person. More than 100 cases are reported each year in Pennsylvania,

mostly in children. Other cases of pertussis occur but are not diagnosed, especially inadults.

Who gets pertussis?

Pertussis can occur at any age.

How do you get pertussis?People get pertussis by breathing in droplets from the nose and mouth of already infected

persons. Older children and adults may have milder disease and may spread the diseaseto unimmunized infants and young children. An infected person is most contagious at the

beginning of the disease. If untreated, an infected person can spread pertussis for up to 3weeks after coughing starts. Antibiotic treatment limits contagiousness to five days after

treatment is started.

How soon do symptoms start?Symptoms usually start 5 to 10 days after exposure to another person with the disease,

but may take as long as 20 days to start.

What are the symptoms of pertussis?

Pertussis begins as a mild illness like the common cold. Sneezing, runny nose, low-grade

fever, and mild coughing progress to severe coughing. Some persons have episodes ofrapid coughing followed by a high-pitched whoop as they take a deep breath. However,

not everyone with pertussis has a whoop, especially very young infants. Severe coughmay continue for many weeks despite proper treatment. Symptoms may be milder in

older children and adults. However, pertussis can be a serious disease, especially ininfants and young children. Complications can include pneumonia, dehydration, seizures,

encephalopathy (a disorder of the brain), and death.

How is pertussis treated?Antibiotics such as erythromycin may be useful early in the disease. Antibiotics are

particularly helpful in reducing spread of the disease to other persons.However, once severe symptoms begin, antibiotics may not have any effect on

symptoms.

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How can pertussis be prevented?The single best control measure is adequate vaccination of children. The pertussis

vaccine is usually given together with other vaccines such as diphtheria and tetanus(DTaP vaccine). Recent changes in the pertussis vaccine have improved its safety while

keeping a high level of protection. Children should be routinely immunized at ages 2, 4,

6, and 15 months, and again at 4-6 years.

Before 2005, the only booster available contained tetanus and diphtheria (Td), and was

recommended for adolescents and adults every 10 years. Today, there are boosters foradolescents and adults that contain tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, Tdap. Pre-teens

going to the doctor for their regular check-up at age 11 or 12 should get a dose of Tdap.Adults who didnt get Tdap as a pre-teen should get one dose of Tdap instead of the Td

booster. Pregnant women should get a dose of Tdap during eachpregnancy.

When pertussis does occur, preventive antibiotic treatment is sometimes recommendedfor household and other close contacts of the person with pertussis.